Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anastasia I. Tsavdaridou, Aggeliki Doxa, Antonios D. Mazaris
Summary: This study develops a comprehensive approach to spatially delineate key areas for freshwater conservation in Europe, taking into account directed-connectivity, climate change, and human-induced disturbances. The current reserve network is found to be completely inadequate in protecting freshwater ecosystems, but expanding it to cover the top 17% of high priority areas could substantially improve species coverage, especially for critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph William Bull, Isobel Taylor, Elizabeth Biggs, Henry M. J. Grub, Tom Yearley, Harriet Waters, E. J. Milner-Gulland
Summary: Every large organization should consider and plan how to achieve net gain in biodiversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miguel Canibe Iglesias, Virgilio Hermoso, Joao C. Campos, Claudia Carvalho-Santos, Paulo M. Fernandes, Teresa R. Freitas, Joao P. Honrado, Joao A. Santos, Angelo Sil, Adrian Regos, Joao C. Azevedo
Summary: The study emphasizes the importance of redefining zoning in protected areas to adapt to climate change, and highlights the need to review management policies to reduce fire risk and protect ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elizabeth A. Nyboer, Hsien-Yung Lin, Joseph R. Bennett, Joseph Gabriel, William Twardek, Auston D. Chhor, Lindsay Daly, Sarah Dolson, Eric Guitard, Peter Holder, Christina M. Mozzon, Alexandria Trahan, Dennis Zimmermann, Kathleen Kesner-Reyes, Cristina Garilao, Kristin Kaschner, Steven J. Cooke
Summary: Recreational fisheries play a vital role in the social, cultural, and economic well-being of coastal and riparian regions worldwide, but climate change poses a threat to their sustainability. Around 25% of fish species targeted for recreational fishing are vulnerable to climate change, with mismatches found between conservation efforts and vulnerability levels.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rocco Labadessa, Leonardo Ancillotto
Summary: The decline of biodiversity due to urban development has raised the need to identify areas most relevant to the conservation of native species. In this study, the multiple role of local geomorphological features in shaping plant diversity patterns and dynamics in an urban area of Italy was assessed. The results showed that landscape remnants played a crucial role in the conservation of native, rare, and specialised species, as well as in maintaining floristic continuity and potential connectivity throughout the urban landscape.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Abigail R. Wills, Deo D. Shirima, Olivier Villemaire-Cote, Philip J. Platts, Sarah J. Knight, Robin Loveridge, Hamidu Seki, Catherine E. Waite, Pantaleo K. T. Munishi, Herman Lyatuu, Blanca Bernal, Marion Pfeifer, Andrew R. Marshall
Summary: This study introduces a systematic approach to inform landscape restoration planning, estimating spatial variation in cost-effectiveness. The results show that there is potential for biomass recovery in 77.7% of a region in Tanzania, with most areas having the potential for restoring biomass through passive or assisted natural regeneration.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark G. Anderson, Melissa Clark, Arlene P. Olivero, Analie R. Barnett, Kimberly R. Hall, Meredith W. Cornett, Marissa Ahlering, Michael Schindel, Bob Unnasch, Carrie Schloss, D. Richard Cameron
Summary: Motivated by declines in biodiversity exacerbated by climate change, we identified a network of conservation sites designed to provide resilient habitat for species, while supporting dynamic shifts in ranges and changes in ecosystem composition. Our 12-y study involved 289 scientists in 14 study regions across the conterminous United States (CONUS), and our intent was to support local-, regional-, and national-scale conservation decisions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter J. Fashing, Nga Nguyen, Sebsebe Demissew, Abel Gizaw, Anagaw Atickem, Addisu Mekonnen, Niina O. Nurmi, Jeffrey T. Kerby, Nils Chr Stenseth
Summary: Ethiopia is home to rich and unique fauna and flora, but these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and human population growth. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the biodiversity in Ethiopia.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Isabel M. Rojas, Megan K. Jennings, Erin Conlisk, Alexandra D. Syphard, Jack Mikesell, Alicia M. Kinoshita, Krista West, Doug Stow, Emanuel Storey, Mark E. De Guzman, Diane Foote, Alexandria Warneke, Amber Pairis, Sherry Ryan, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, Rebecca L. Lewison
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of considering not only climate refugia, but also other stressors such as human-induced changes in fire and hydrology, for conservation efforts. The authors introduced a new conceptual approach called "domains of refugia" to assess refugial capacity and identify areas with low exposure to multiple stressors. Results suggest that areas with high refugial capacity may be underrepresented in existing protected area networks, highlighting the need for expanding conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wataru Higashikawa, Masanao Sueyoshi, Terutaka Mori, Ryuji Yonekura, Keigo Nakamura
Summary: Although biodiversity indicators based on landscape heterogeneity have been developed for terrestrial ecosystems, they are not well suited for freshwater ecosystems worldwide due to the difficulty in discriminating freshwater environments using remote sensing. However, in Japan, detailed classification of freshwater land cover using Geographic Information System (GIS) data has allowed the development of an index for freshwater landscape heterogeneity called the 'Satogawa' Index (SGI). The SGI, calculated at a central region in Japan, showed significant relationships with Odonata species richness and freshwater fish. The SGI can be adapted to other regions as a surrogate of aquatic species richness, providing valuable insights into the impacts of land use changes on freshwater biodiversity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. W. Pearce-Higgins, L. H. Antao, R. E. Bates, K. M. Bowgen, C. D. Bradshaw, S. J. Duffield, C. Ffoulkes, A. M. A. Franco, J. Geschke, R. D. Gregory, M. J. Harley, J. A. Hodgson, R. L. M. Jenkins, V Kapos, K. M. Maltby, O. Watts, S. G. Willis, M. D. Morecroft
Summary: As the magnitude of climate change increases, the impacts on natural and human systems will become more severe. Therefore, it is important to have appropriate ecological indicators to measure the progress of climate change adaptation for the natural environment. This paper outlines a framework and proposes three process-based and two results-based indicator types to track the progress of climate change adaptation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ronald C. Estoque, Brian Alan Johnson, Rajarshi Dasgupta, Yan Gao, Toshiya Matsuura, Takeshi Toma, Yasumasa Hirata, Rodel D. Lasco
Summary: This paper discusses the limitations of the current global forest assessment workflow, and proposes enhancements such as sharing spatial data and including tree canopy cover estimates to overcome these issues, in order to achieve more meaningful forest monitoring and reporting.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charles B. van Rees, Laura Naslund, Darixa D. Hernandez-Abrams, S. Kyle McKay, C. Brock Woodson, Amy Rosemond, Brian McFall, Safra Altman, Seth J. Wenger
Summary: This article introduces a monitoring framework and practical guidelines for natural infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of research and development monitoring to provide scientifically rigorous evidence. It also calls for greater adoption of research and development monitoring at larger scales to increase the evidence base for natural infrastructure implementation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edward Tsyrlin, Melissa Carew, Ary A. Hoffmann, Simon Linke, Rhys A. Coleman
Summary: Family-level identification is commonly used for monitoring freshwater macroinvertebrates, but its effectiveness in reflecting regional biodiversity patterns in Australia is untested. This study compared family-level and species-level datasets for freshwater insects in Melbourne, Australia. The results showed a positive relationship between family and species richness, but the family-level dataset underestimated the sampling effort needed to accurately reflect species diversity and overlooked regionally rare species. It is recommended to include species-level identification in monitoring programs to understand regional biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark A. Titley, Stuart H. M. Butchart, Victoria R. Jones, Mark J. Whittingham, Stephen G. Willis
Summary: Sociopolitical factors have emerged as important determinants of wildlife population trends and conservation effectiveness. Climate change impacts may be disproportionately significant in countries with weaker governance and lower greenhouse gas emissions, raising questions of international justice. The importance of transboundary conservation and the potential impacts of species redistribution across political boundaries under climate change have been highlighted.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Suneeti K. Jog, Jason T. Bried
Summary: This study explored the relationship between taxonomic diversity and evolutionary structure in vascular plant assemblages, finding positive correlations between ecological conservatism and native richness with average taxonomic distinctness, and a negative correlation with exotic species. However, the ambiguity and nonlinear relationship of richness suggest that it may not be a suitable bioindicator for wetlands. Further research is needed to understand how evolutionary structure plays a role in bioassessment.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wade A. Boys, Adam M. Siepielski, Brenda D. Smith, Michael A. Patten, Jason T. Bried
Summary: This study combined the predictions of two machine learning algorithms to estimate the current and future distributions of two endemic dragonflies in the Ozark-Ouachita Interior Highlands region, showing the utility of these models in guiding field surveys. Future projections under climate change scenarios support maintaining current suitable areas. The results suggest that combining outputs of multiple species distribution models is a useful tool for informing the distributions of geographically limited or rare species.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways, James S. Pryke
Summary: Ecological and biological traits interact to shape the geographical ranges of dragonfly species in Africa. Single traits are weak predictors of species range sizes, and investigating multiple traits simultaneously is recommended for more accurate predictions.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways
Summary: The expansion of urban areas combined with climate change poses great threats to dragonflies in southern Africa, requiring effective mitigation measures for their protection. Dragonflies play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems and serve as conservation umbrellas for other species.
Article
Entomology
Francisco Valente-Neto, Ana Claudia Piovezan-Borges, Gustavo Lima Urbieta, Michae J. Samways, Fabio de Oliveira Roque
Summary: The study revealed that developed countries played a dominant role in the research collaboration network on freshwater insect extinction, while there were varying levels of connectivity in the networks of status, threats, and solutions research. Collaboration in research should be increased to reduce inequalities between developed and developing countries, aiming to benefit freshwater insect conservation science and practice.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
K. Jurie Theron, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Biodiversity conservation requires effective management of key areas, including natural grassland conservation corridors, which improve landscape connectivity and mitigate fragmentation. Grasshoppers were used as indicators, showing positive responses to historic grassland activity and the important role of habitat heterogeneity for maintaining diversity. Satellite imagery is effective for monitoring grasshopper responses to vegetation changes within corridors.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jason T. Bried, Annika Vilmi
Summary: This article discusses the challenges and opportunities of dispersal mass effects in applied metacommunity ecology. The authors propose a new detection framework and test its applicability on a stream diatom survey. They find evidence of mass effects in the diatom groups, but due to data uncertainties, they suggest an alternate framework for more precise and robust detection.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jason T. Bried, Suneeti K. Jog
Summary: Nonnative species can limit floristic quality scores, affecting wetland restoration and ecological health goals. However, their impact may be less significant in multimetric situations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James S. Pryke, Francois Roets, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Mammals are declining globally due to habitat loss. Human-wildlife conflicts have led to the fencing off of ranges for many large mammal species. However, the impact of this activity on the functional associations between insects and large mammals has not been well studied.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
K. Jurie Theron, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Grassland corridors within commercial timber plantations in South Africa have the potential to connect conservation areas, but the impact of the production landscape on functional connectivity has not been investigated. This study used grasshoppers as indicators and combined species distribution modelling, functional connectivity analysis, and community analysis to understand how these corridors contribute to biodiversity conservation. The results show that wide corridors with different elevations and slopes support different grasshopper assemblages and promote species turnover. Functional connectivity depends on the availability of high-quality habitat shaped by prescribed burning, with implications for range restricted species. Not all high-quality habitat is functionally connected, suggesting the need for conservation intervention.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Geldenhuys, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: Understanding the effects of agricultural practices on farmland biodiversity requires a landscape perspective. This study found that increasing in-crop herbaceous vegetation in vineyards can increase the species richness of overall arthropods and ubiquitous arthropods. Additionally, the interplay between the amount of natural vegetation and local-scale processes influences the composition of arthropod assemblages.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Michelle Eckert, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Charlene Janion-Scheepers, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Landscape transformation for agriculture threatens biodiversity. A study in South Africa found that large-scale timber plantations showed similar levels of biodiversity as natural vegetation for ants and springtails. The high diversity in plantations may be due to environmental variation among sites. Plantations and natural areas supported complementary assemblages.
Article
Ecology
Varina E. Crisfield, Cari D. Ficken, Brandon E. Allen, Suneeti K. Jog, Jason T. Bried
Summary: Biological indicators are commonly used to evaluate ecosystem condition, but their use is often constrained by the availability of species-specific indicator values. This study tests the potential of approximating missing bioindicator values using publicly accessible trait data. The results show consistency between trait values and expert-assigned ecological conservatism scores (C-scores), suggesting traits can be used to predict C-scores.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways, James S. Pryke
Summary: Landscape fragmentation affects freshwater habitats and quality, impacting aquatic insect communities. Adjacent terrestrial areas serve as important secondary habitats for amphibiotic insects. Zygopterans are more sensitive to fragmentation, while anisopterans show more resilience and habitat selectivity based on water chemistry and vegetation characteristics.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Heterogeneity at local and landscape scales plays an important role in promoting insect diversity and mitigating insect declines caused by global change. In this study, the researchers examined the use of indigenous forest-grassland edges by butterflies. They found that forest edges supported a diverse butterfly assemblage, with forest specialists being more diverse at forest edges than in grassland. The researchers also observed more interactions and patrolling behavior at forest edges, while feeding and transient behavior were more common in grassland. The occurrence and behavioral patterns were not influenced by season, indicating that the influence of forests remains consistent under varying environmental conditions. However, certain species showed a preference for forest edges in the hot and windy season, suggesting that the shelter provided by forest edges influences butterfly habitat use. The study highlights the importance of conserving forest patches in coastal grasslands for butterfly populations in the face of global change.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)